I used to be that person who would bring a massive suitcase for a simple two day beach trip because I thought I needed a completely different outfit for every single hour of the day. I would have my actual swimming pool outfit and then a separate cute look for getting lunch and then an entirely different dress for dinner later on. It was exhausting just thinking about all that packing to be honest. But last summer I was in Greece and I saw this insanely chic woman just stroll straight from the water to a really nice outdoor restaurant by just throwing on this gorgeous flowy skirt over her one piece. It hit me right then that a solid one piece is basically just a waterproof bodysuit in disguise. Since that trip I have completely changed how I pack and it has saved me so much time and suitcase space. It is probably the best vacation fashion hack I have ever found.
Finding the right skirt is actually everything
You can't just throw any old skirt over a wet swimsuit and expect it to look good to be honest. The key is finding a skirt that has some real substance to it like a thick cotton or a nice heavy linen blend. If the material is too thin or sheer it is just going to cling to your damp suit in all the wrong places and look super awkward. I usually go for a wrap style midi or maxi skirt because you can adjust the waist which is great after a big vacation meal. A dark skirt or something with a busy pattern is also smart because it hides any damp spots if your suit hasn't totally dried out yet. It just makes the whole transition feel intentional rather than like you just forgot to change.
Why you should probably skip the super sporty suits
This look works best if your one piece doesn't look like you are about to swim laps in an Olympic pool. Those sporty speedo types with the massive logos and the racers backs are a little too casual to pull off as a real top for dinner. I always look for one pieces that have interesting details like a cool square neckline orMaybe some textured ribbed fabric. A simple black or olive green suit with thinner straps or even a strapless style is perfect because it looks like a high end bodysuit that you bought at a boutique. If your suit has a built in shelf bra that is even better because then you don't have to worry about finding a strapless bra that actually stays up while you are trying to eat your pasta.
Don't you dare forget about the power of accessories
To really sell the idea that your swimsuit is actually a top you absolutely have to pay attention to your jewelry and your hat. When I am heading straight to dinner I always pull my salty beach hair back into a sleek bun and put on some big chunky gold hoop earrings. It draws the eye upward and makes the whole outfit look much more polished and put together. Throw on a few layered necklaces and maybe a stack of bracelets and suddenly nobody is looking at your wet suit anymore. A cool straw tote or even a small leather cross body bag helps too. It is all about making the accessories do the heavy lifting so you don't have to change your entire clothes.
Choose a skirt that hits the right spot on your waist
Another thing that really makes a difference is making sure the waistband of your skirt sits at the smallest part of your waist. When you tuck a sleek one piece into a high waisted skirt it creates this really clean and elegant line from your neck down to your feet. It is way more flattering than a lower cut skirt which can make the suit bunch up around your middle and make you feel really uncomfortable. If the skirt has a split up the side it adds a bit of movement which feels very beachy and effortlessly cool. I have this one denim midi skirt with a slit that I wear with everything and it looks incredible with a simple black strapless one piece.
Let's talk about the tricky shoe situation
Okay so the shoes can really make or break this whole thing. If you wear flip flops it is going to look like you just came from the sand no matter how cute your skirt is. But if you try to wear stilettos on a boardwalk you are just going to look silly. I find that a pair of decent leather slides or Maybe some espadrille wedges are the perfect middle ground. They are comfortable enough to walk around in all day but they are nice enough to wear to a nice seafood place for dinner. A neutral tan or gold color goes with everything and it just pulls the entire look together without looking like you tried too hard which is always the goal right.
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